LATEST STORIES
Our Science Experiments
Here at BestStart Cranford Street, we are always exploring a range of different textures and materials during our days. We are lucky enough that the sun is starting to come out again as spring begins to roll in and this means we can engage in more cold-water experiences.
One of our preschool teachers recently set up a provocation where there were different coloured ice cubes, and some oil in the water trough lid. This was down at the children’s level, so teachers and children were able to sit around the sensory experience and fully engage with it. This sort of play allows children to develop a perception of themselves as ‘explorers’ – competent, confident learners who ask questions and make discoveries.
As the ice melted throughout the children’s hot little hands the colours were mixing up throughout the trough. With the added oil, it changed the feeling of the ice and made the children’s hands feel all slippery!
Science and nature play support learning across all strands of Te Whāriki. It supports the Exploration strand, where children learn strategies for active exploration, thinking and reasoning. They also develop working theories for making sense of the natural, social, physical and material worlds.
Here at BestStart Cranford Street, Kaiako support children to develop their sense of exploration and curiosity and creating an environment that promotes observation, exploration and explanation. Kaiako encourage children to develop the skills of asking questions e.g. What do you think might happen? Why do you think that happened? What do you see happening? And following on from this - encouraging them to come up with their own explanations.